Thirteen years after Avatar took the world on a trip to Pandora, director James Cameron returns with possibly the most important sequel of the century. Avatar: The Way of Water was unveiled to members of the press after a world premiere at London.
The first reactions to the film are overwhelmingly positive. The VFX in particular has been receiving immense appreciation. Here’s what critics have tweeted about the magnum opus.
Avatar 2’s plot
Avatar: The Way of Water picks up from ten years after the original events. Jake Sully and Neytiri’s family fight back against the encroaching threat from RDA who are still in Pandora.
- The trailer shows the franchise adopting an aquatic landscape treatment. The original Avatar is still the highest-grossing film of all time, and The Way of Water lays the groundwork for a bigger franchise.
Social media reactions
Some critics claim that Avatar: The Way of Water is a feat of technological advancement and movie magic. Apparently, it even overpowers the first film.
- David Ehrlich claims that Avatar 2 is “light years better than the first and easily one of the best theatrical experiences in ages.”
Avatar The Way of Water: lol imagine being dumb enough to bet against James Cameron. or teen alien Sigourney Weaver. or giant whales subtitled in papyrus.
light years better than the first & easily one of the best theatrical experiences in ages. streaming found dead in a ditch.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 6, 2022
- Critics and press members unanimously vouch for audiences to watch Avatar 2 on the biggest screen possible. Journalists are going gaga over the overall visual experience in particular.
- Mike Ryan claims to have “never seen anything like this from a technical, visual standpoint.”
Someone texted me, “what’s the most visually impressive part of the movie?” And I responded, “The whole thing honestly.”
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 6, 2022
- The praise for James Cameron’s boundless imagination and surreal world-building doesn’t seem to stop on Twitter. Expectations for the film are at an all-time high now.
- Erik Davis thinks the film is “visually breathtaking, visceral and incredible engrossing”, further appreciating the storytelling and filmmaking that went into Avatar 2.
Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better & more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually breathtaking, visceral & incredibly engrossing. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty – this is moviemaking & storytelling at its absolute finest. pic.twitter.com/RicnpDghrx
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 6, 2022
- Surprisingly, Avatar 2’s lengthy runtime of 190 minutes does not seem to bother critics at all. Cameron joked that he “doesn’t care if people leave the theater to use the restroom.”
James Cameron once again shows filmmakers how it’s done. I’ve said it a thousand times. Never doubt him. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is how you do epic blockbuster-ing. Emotional, visceral, and as big as movies get. @officialavatar
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 6, 2022
- Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro took to Twitter to share his love and appreciation for Avatar: The Way of Water.
I say it again: Avatar 2 – seeing it you realize how long it has been since you saw a MOVIE-MOVIE (like that, in caps).
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) December 7, 2022
The cast of Avatar 2
Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana return as Jake and Neytiri, while Sigourney Weaver plays a different role this time as Kiri, their adopted daughter.
- Exciting newcomers include Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, Oona Chaplin etc. And of course, how can a film about family not have Vin Diesel in it?
Box Office expectations
Avatar 2’s humongous budget of 350 million USD means it has to break box office records to even turn a profit.
- James Cameron is confident with sequels though, citing the success of Aliens and Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
- If Avatar 2 doesn’t go well, he knows Avatar 3 isn’t happening. However, going by the first reactions, James Cameron clearly knows what he is doing.
As someone who LIKED — but didn't LOVE — the first AVATAR, let me tell you:
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER blew me away.
Vastly superior in visuals, story telling and performances, the sequel left my jaw on the ground for the entire runtime.
James Cameron is the GOD of sequels. pic.twitter.com/1cw6C94O4f
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water releases worldwide in theaters and IMAX on 16 December, 2022. Have you booked your tickets yet?
RELATED NEWS: Avatar 2 – What we know so far
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